Colts Sign S Nasir Adderley
Nasir Adderley‘s comeback attempt will produce an opportunity. The former Chargers starter agreed to terms with the Colts, according to the AFC South franchise.
Adderley has not played since the 2022 season, but the former Bolts second-round pick (29 in May) will give it a go in Indianapolis. The Chargers used Adderley as a three-year starter, but rather than pursue a free agency deal following the expiration of his rookie contract, Adderley retired. He backtracked on that after three missed seasons, revealing in February an intention to come back.
Even in an era featuring earlier retirements, it was surprising to see Adderley walk away before his 26th birthday. He had played out a four-year, $4.73MM rookie contract and stood to top that as a free agent in 2023. But the Delaware product cited health reasons when he retired. This is far from the most notable unretirement the Colts have greenlit over the past year, with Philip Rivers — an ex-Adderley Charger teammate — famously reemerging after nearly five seasons away to start three games as an emergency option late last season.
Although Rivers worked directly with Shane Steichen during the latter’s time as Bolts OC and QBs coach, the current Colts HC was on the Los Angeles staff during part of Adderley’s tenure. Steichen was in place as QBs coach to start the 2019 season and served as Anthony Lynn‘s OC in 2020.
The Chargers used Adderley as a starter in 44 games from 2020-22, lining him up alongside Derwin James for much of that period. Adderley retired after his contract expired, and after the Bolts had turned to Alohi Gilman to be James’ next sidekick. Gilman’s re-signing came three days before Adderley’s retirement announcement. It would have made sense for Adderley to pursue a free agency deal elsewhere rather than retire, but the former No. 60 overall pick displayed his conviction by remaining out of football for three seasons.
As James roamed the formation, Adderley spent most of his time as a free safety under both Brandon Staley and Gus Bradley. The latter — who served as Colts DC from 2022-24 — oversaw Adderley’s development from 2019-20. Despite frequent FS alignment, Adderley made 99 tackles (three for loss) in 2021. He intercepted two passes in 2022, when Pro Football Focus graded him 36th out of 89 qualified safeties.
The Colts lost Nick Cross in free agency; the Commanders added the two-year Indianapolis starter on a two-year, $13MM deal. Cross played more as a box defender last season, with free agent signing Camryn Bynum in place at free safety under Lou Anarumo. Adderley joins Jonathan Owens and Juanyeh Thomas as Colts safety additions this offseason.
Owens, Thomas and 2025 seventh-round pick Hunter Wohler had been set for a competition; Adderley may soon join that fray. If nothing else, this agreement allows the fifth-year veteran to vie for a roster spot. It would be interesting to see if his unretirement will stick for a practice squad opportunity, should it come to that after a busy Colts offseason at safety.
Nasir Adderley Attempting NFL Comeback
Nasir Adderley played out his rookie contract from 2019-22. Instead of signing a new deal in free agency, however, the safety announced his retirement.
Health was cited as one of the main reasons why Adderley ended his career. No indications emerged over a notable period of time that he was contemplating a return to football. That recently changed.
“It’s now been three years since I left the NFL, and I am extremely happy with my development,” Adderley wrote in an Instagram post. “Health, family, and entrepreneurship were my top priorities, and I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish. The freedom to manage my own schedule was very important to me, but what I didn’t realize was how much I’d miss having football in my life. The competition, the brotherhood, and just being involved in the game that means so much to me and my family.
“Therefore, I am officially announcing my intention to return to the NFL.”
During his rookie season, Adderley only made four appearances and was not a defensive regular. The former second-rounder was a full-time starter for his final three years with the Chargers, though. Over that span, Adderley totaled 230 tackles, three interceptions and 12 pass deflections. Coverage was a sore spot in 2020 and ’21, but the Delaware product delivered much better production in that regard during his final season.
At the age of 28, Adderley could be seen as a free agent with more upside than some of the other options on the market. Of course, the length of his absence will no doubt lead to offers along the lines of a one-year, ‘prove-it’ contract. A different Chargers regime is in place than the one which drafted him, so Adderley could easily find himself playing on a new team in 2026 provided he lands an NFL gig.
Former Chargers S Nasir Adderley Retires
Nasir Adderley‘s rookie contract expired yesterday, leaving him eligible to sign with any team to begin the next chapter of his career. Instead, the 25-year-old safety announced (via Instagram) on Thursday that he is retiring from the NFL.
Adderley joined the Chargers as second-round pick in 2019. He was limited by injury to just four games played as a rookie, but remained mostly healthy beyond that point. He was a full-time starter over the past three regular seasons, though he did not start Los Angeles’ playoff loss to the Jaguars. Adderley appeared in a total of 51 games in the NFL.
“After a period of self-reflection, I have decided it’s time for me to walk away from the game of football,” his announcements reads. “Over the past couple of years I have denied this realization, but I’m finally going to put myself first for once. My health is above everything.
“It has been a dream come true to play in the NFL and have the opportunity to play for the Chargers organization. I believe I have yet to scratch the surface of the player I could be, but if it’s at the expense of my peace of mind then it’s no longer for me.”
The Delaware product racked up 232 tackles during his time with the Chargers, adding three interceptions and 12 pass deflections. His coverage statistics improved over each of the past three years, suggesting he could have remained an effective member of Los Angeles’ (or another team’s) secondary for at least the short-term future. Instead, he will now positively reflect on his relatively brief NFL tenure.
“It’s been a joy to create such amazing relationships,” he wrote in his statement. “Words can’t express how much love and gratitude I have for you all.”
Minor NFL Transactions: 8/20/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: DB Luq Barcoo
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE David Wells
- Placed on IR: TE Ryan Becker
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Montrel Meander
- Waived: RB Corey Taylor, WR JoJo Ward
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR Damon Hazelton
- Waived: CB Dominique Martin
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Nasir Adderley, CB Ryan Smith
- Signed: WR Michael Bandy
Miami Dolphins
- Waived: DB Terrell Bonds
New York Jets
- Signed: S Bennett Jackson
- Placed on IR: S Zane Lewis; Lewis suffered a torn patellar tendon, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets
Chargers Activate T Russell Okung
Russell Okung is set to make his season debut Sunday. The Chargers activated their top tackle and placed rookie safety Nasir Adderley on IR.
Okung battled blood clot issues for several weeks and began this season on the Bolts’ NFI list. After returning to practice earlier this month, the 10th-year left tackle will soon be back in action. This represents some rare good news for the Chargers on the injury front.
The Bolts have used second-year UDFA Trent Scott at left tackle in all seven games this season. Okung, 32, obviously represents a notable upgrade and will begin his third season in this post. The former top-10 pick started 15 games for each of the past two Chargers teams, making the Pro Bowl in 2017. His return comes for a Chargers team that’s been ravaged by injuries at nearly every position, helping lead to a 2-5 start.
A second-round pick, Adderley only played 10 defensive snaps this season. The Delaware product has missed the past three Bolts games. He has dealt with a hamstring injury and will now have the chance to rehab and prepare for his sophomore NFL campaign. Adderley will join fellow safeties Derwin James and Adrian Phillips on IR. Both are candidates to return this season, James in particular.
Chargers Sign Second-Round S Nasir Adderley
The Chargers have signed second-round safety Nasir Adderley, the club announced today.
Adderley will join 2018 first-round pick and first-team All-Pro Derwin James in Los Angeles’ defensive backfield, joining an excellent secondary that also includes safety Adrian Phillips and cornerbacks Casey Hayward, Desmond King, and Trevor Williams. The 60th overall pick in the draft, Adderley will attempt to replace the 1,000+ snaps departed by Jahleel Addae, whom the Chargers released earlier this year.
Adderley, a Delaware product, will likely play a center field-type role for Los Angeles, allowing James to be deployed closer to the line of scrimmage. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com praised Adderley’s speed, noting that trait will allow the two-time All-CAA honoree to play in single-high safety looks, and compared him to second-year Bengals starter Jessie Bates.
Per Over the Cap, Adderley will receive a four-year pact worth roughly $4.732MM. He’ll collect a signing bonus of ~$1.462MM, and count for $860K on Los Angeles’ 2019 salary cap.
Here’s the full Chargers 2019 draft:
- 1-28: Jerry Tillery, DT (Notre Dame): Signed
- 2-60: Nasir Adderley, S (Delaware): Signed
- 3-91: Trey Pipkins, T (Sioux Falls)
- 4-130: Drue Tranquill, LB (Notre Dame): Signed
- 5-166: Easton Stick, QB (North Dakota State): Signed
- 6-200: Emeke Egbule, LB (Houston): Signed
- 7-242: Cortez Broughton, DT (Cincinnati): Signed